FANTASY
Owens boosts Edwards’ stock
Pirates improve?
Published: June 14, 2009, 12:30 am
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Minicamps have yet to be completed, but that hasn’t stopped more than a few fantasy Web sites from publishing their preseason NFL ratings.
After scouring a few lists, it’s clear that the addition of Terrell Owens has moved several Buffalo Bills up the ranks.
For example, Mike Harmon of Fox Sports has Trent Edwards his top-ranked quarterback sleeper.
“The addition of T. O., say what you will about him, puts Edwards on the radar for a breakout season,” Harmon writes.
Of course, Harmon also lists Eli Manning, Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck in his top 10, so I’d question his definition of a “sleeper.” The point remains, however, that Edwards will be a lot more appealing come draft time with Owens lined up across from Lee Evans.
At ESPN, Owens is the highest-ranked Bill, at 30th.
“All right, T. O. just looks weird in that Bills uni, no?” the outlook reads. “But for better or worse, he’s Western New York’s problem now.”
ESPN’s projections for Owens call for 83 catches, 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns—a problem Bills fans and fantasy owners alike would love to have.
Also on ESPN’s list is Marshawn Lynch, a spot behind Owens at 31. Lynch’s projection calls for 937 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, factoring in his three-game suspension to start the season. Evans (64), Fred Jackson (105) and Edwards (127) are also in ESPN’s top 150.
At Yahoo! Sports, the Bills aren’t getting as much love. On Brandon Funston’s big board, Owens is 34th, Lynch is 45th and Evans is 63rd, the only three players to make the top 100.
The Buffalo wide receivers also each land on a “10 players I hate more than you” list.
“In ’08, Owens didn’t shed coverage the way he used to, and now he’ll have to deal with a downgrade at QB,” Yahoo’s Andy Behrens writes. “I expect nothing but positive reports throughout the summer, but I don’t think T. O. can match last year’s production in the regular season.”
Evans, meanwhile, isn’t appealing to Brad Evans of Yahoo!
“Many would suspect that, with T. O. in tow, Evans’ value would soar. However, the opposite will likely happen. Despite being healthy, the sixth-year wideout has seen a drop in targets per year for three consecutive seasons. The demonstrative Owens could make it four in a row,” he writes.
At NFL.com, Owens is 42nd, while Lynch is 44th. Evans is 76th and Jackson cracks the top 100 at 97th.
At CBSSports.com, a 14-team mock draft was held among fantasy writers. The top Bill to go was Lynch, at 34th overall in the third round, followed by Owens at 40th. Evans went in the middle of the fifth round, while Edwards was the last pick of the 10th round.
Being a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates can’t be easy.
They’ve had to endure 16 consecutive losing seasons, tied for the most in major league baseball history. And they watched last week as their All-Star center fielder from a season ago, Nate McLouth, was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for three prospects who almost certainly won’t see the field this season.
The move forced General Manager Neal Huntington to e-mail season-ticket holders an explanation. The trade was an honest attempt to get better, Huntington explained, and not just a salary dump.
From a fantasy perspective, however, the move probably won’t have a huge impact on McLouth’s numbers. In a meeting with Pittsburgh on Monday, McLouth hit his first home run as a Brave, stole a base and scored two runs from the leadoff position. His power numbers and RBIs are off to a good start this year, but his average is hovering around .260. If he keeps hitting at the top of the order, there’s no guarantee that will go up much.
The bigger story from a fantasy perspective could be the availability of McLouth’s replacement in Pittsburgh, prospect Andrew McCutchen. Also hitting first Monday, McCutchen tripled twice in the first seven innings. McCutchen hit .400 in his first five games with Pittsburgh since being called up, and should be available in a majority of leagues.
jskurski@buffnews.com
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